Agility Trainer

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an agility training device having a rigid outer ring, a flexible inner ring; and a plurality of spokes having adjustable length connected to each of said inner ring and said outer ring.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A typical site on practice fields are tires arranged in various patterns in order to provide agility training. This particular activity is not only costly but does not provide for variances in direction during training. The present invention addresses this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment the present invention a system is provided that is configured as a circular agility ladder. In general terms, it is a circular device divided into particular segments including an inner circle, and our circle, and spokes running from the deep perimeter of the inner circle to the promoter of the outer circle. It is contemplated, that a person would use the device of the present invention for foot speed drills. A person can move in different directions to increase ability quickly and efficiently to move in various directions as desired and set forth by particular training using the device of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the present invention is an agility training device comprising:

-   -   a rigid outer ring;     -   a flexible inner ring; and     -   a plurality of spokes having adjustable length connected to each         of said inner ring and said outer ring.

In one embodiment, the rigid outer ring is formed of plastic, polymer, fiberglass, carbon fiber, rubber, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the flexible inner ring is formed of a material having a deformable elasticity. The inner ring in one embodiment is an elastic bungee, elastic rubber, spandex, or combinations thereof. The elasticity of the inner ring is such that it expands when subject to force and subsequently returns to a starting or rest position as is known with elastic bands/bungees and the like. In one embodiment, the flexible inner ring is formed of a bungee-type material.

The spokes, outer ring, and inner ring define step regions. The spokes are formed of any suitable material including, but not limited to, nylon, plastics, polymers (such as polyester and polypropylene), rope, and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the spokes are arranged to have congruent length one to another thus forming congruent step regions.

In one embodiment, the spokes are arranged to have at least two incongruent lengths one to another forming incongruent step regions.

The device is preferably foldable into two or more circular portions for storage.

Also contemplated in the present invention is a method of agility training, said method comprising the steps of:

-   -   providing a device according to the invention as described         herein;     -   placing the device on the ground or other substantially flat         surface; and     -   directing a user a sequence in which to step into selected step         regions.

The method further comprised providing for a particular amount of sequential steps into each step region and for timing a user completing a sequence of directed steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view demonstrating one embodiment of the proven present invention in an environment of use.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one embodiment of the present invention with congruent segments.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of one embodiment of the present invention with an offset inner section.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of one embodiment of the present invention with repositioned spokes.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view along section line B-B of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view along section line A-A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a view of a first step for storing the article according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sequential step from FIG. 7 demonstrating twisting motion of the assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sequential step from FIG. 8 demonstrating the direction of folding the twisted assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sequential step from FIG. 9 demonstrating disassembled spokes according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sequential step from FIG. 10 demonstrating storage of the device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Device 10 includes an inner ring 16 and outer ring 12 and a plurality of spokes 14 connected from inner ring 16 to outer ring 12. In one embodiment, as demonstrated in FIG. 2, spokes 14 are congruent and form substantially equal step region 24 t positioned between inner ring 16 and outer ring 12. Inner ring 16 defines center region 17.

In another embodiment, as demonstrated in FIG. 3, each spoke 14 is incongruent one to another forming step regions 24 j, 24 k, 24 l, 24 m, 24 n, 24 o, 24 p, 24 q, 24 r, 24 s, and 24 t that are incongruent.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, spokes 14 are congruent one to another however inner ring 16 is configured and positioned to provide an offset center region 17 and each step region 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, 24 d, 24 e, 24 f, 24 g, 24 h, and 24 i are incongruent.

Although each of FIGS. 3 and four demonstrate step regions that are incongruent, is further contemplated that one or more of the regions can be formed having congruent area.

As demonstrated in FIG. 5, each spoke 14 is connected on a first outer ring 12 and a second end to inner ring 16 utilizing a book surface 20 that releasably connects to a loop surface 14 in a cloak and loop fastener arrangement. Although hook and loop fasteners are demonstrated in the figure, the present invention is not intended to be limited to hook and loop fasteners but any appropriate fasteners are contemplated as being utilized. As demonstrated in FIG. 6, by varying the length of each hook portion 20 relative to the outer ring 12 entering 16 a user can vary the length of spoke 14. In general, outer ring 12 is rigid and remains in a fixed position where inner ring 16 is flexible and can be deformed as desired and demonstrated in each of the FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIGS. 7 through 11 demonstrate an arrangement whereby the device is folded and subsequently stored. Device 10 will be lifted in direction 27 off the floor, subsequently twisted in a manner shown by directional arrow 28 forming a pair of congruent circles that are folded one on top of another as demonstrated by directional arrow 31. The folded configuration is then placed as demonstrated by directional arrow 29 into a container 30.

Typically, persons that undergo agility training have used various sizes and arrangement of rubber tires and are directed into the interior region of particular tires.

In utilizing the present invention, a user 18 is provided with device 10 and directed to step in particular step regions 24 according to the desired agility training session.

The number of step regions varies and is contemplated to include, in some embodiments, between 4 and 8 regions.

Additionally, the invention is contemplated as being configured such that when moving from storage configuration to a flat/usage configuration, the system expands on its own to the flat usage configuration due to the spring action of the outer ring.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An agility training device comprising: a rigid outer ring; a flexible inner ring; and a plurality of spokes having adjustable length connected to each of said inner ring and said outer ring.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said rigid outer ring is formed of plastic, polymer, rubber, or combinations thereof.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said flexible inner ring is formed of a material having a deformable elasticity.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein said flexible inner ring is formed of a bungee-type material.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein said spokes are arranged to have congruent length one to another.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein said spokes are arranged to have at least two incongruent lengths one to another.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein said spokes, outer ring, and inner ring define step regions.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein said spokes, outer ring, and inner ring define congruent step regions.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein said spokes, outer ring, and inner ring define incongruent step regions.
 10. The device of claim 1 wherein said device is foldable into two or more circular portions.
 11. A method of agility training, said method comprising the steps of: providing a device according to claim 1; placing the device on the ground or other substantially flat surface; and directing a user a sequence in which to step into selected step regions.
 12. The method of claim 12 further comprising timing a user completing a sequence of directed steps. 